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priscaTitle: No escape
Character: Mr. Smith, Erin, OC's
Word Count: 491
Prompt: there is no escape
Finished: 10.07.2022
:::
Wiping his temple, Smith watched the people lining up for water. The heat was unbearable; for weeks, the sun was burning down on the land, no wind, no clouds, not the slightest relief even at night. Some days ago, Markus had made the hard decision to reduce water consumption; he knew this would add even more stress to the already tense atmosphere, but there was no other way if he didn't want to risk the next harvest and death from animals and even people.
Tired, Smith put down his backpack and stepped closer when one guy in the line noticed him. „Hey,“ he snapped. „What is this freak doing here?“
Others turned around, staring at him with threatening narrowed eyes. „Wouldn't be surprised when he is responsible for the heatwave,“ another guy said, and a young woman with a baby on her arm added: „Didn't he say he is God? So, tell us, what have we done, to deserve this?“
„It's not that easy,“ Smith murmured, „I'm only a puppet in God's hands; he won't tell me about his reasons.“
The murmuring grew louder; a man with a bandaged arm left the line and got closer to Smith, grabbing for his collar. "You better stop talking shit, or...“
„Hey! Hey, stop!“ Erin's voice echoed across the square. „You, let him go. We already have survived a lot; we will get through this, too. Markus is already looking for a solution to the water shortage. Until then, we'll act civil.“
The guy turned his head, not letting Smith go. „Erin, you know, we trust Markus. We trust you. But he,“ he pointed at Smith with his chin, „is none of us. Since he turned up here, strange things have happened. This heat wave is only one of them. He is a jinx, and the best we can do is to chase him away from the Mountain. At least then he can't steal our water any longer.“
Erin shook her head. „We never did send someone away who needs help, and we won't start with it now,“ she said, her voice still calm but resolute. „He...“
„He is right,“ suddenly Smith dropped in. „I shouldn't come here for water and food when there is barely enough for everyone living here. I am sorry.“
Still looking distrustful, the guy finally let him go; Smith turned around, grabbing for his backpack. „Thank you, Erin!“
„No,“ she protested.“ I don't let you go like this. Where will you go to? Without water, there is barely a chance to survive in the wilderness at the moment.“
Smith smiled weakly. „Wherever I go, I can't escape my fate,“ he said. „God has plans for me. I will die when he wants me to die. And I will live when he wants me to live.“ He grabbed for the young woman's hand, squeezing it slightly. „Don't worry about me. God says we will meet again.“
Character: Mr. Smith, Erin, OC's
Word Count: 491
Prompt: there is no escape
Finished: 10.07.2022
:::
Wiping his temple, Smith watched the people lining up for water. The heat was unbearable; for weeks, the sun was burning down on the land, no wind, no clouds, not the slightest relief even at night. Some days ago, Markus had made the hard decision to reduce water consumption; he knew this would add even more stress to the already tense atmosphere, but there was no other way if he didn't want to risk the next harvest and death from animals and even people.
Tired, Smith put down his backpack and stepped closer when one guy in the line noticed him. „Hey,“ he snapped. „What is this freak doing here?“
Others turned around, staring at him with threatening narrowed eyes. „Wouldn't be surprised when he is responsible for the heatwave,“ another guy said, and a young woman with a baby on her arm added: „Didn't he say he is God? So, tell us, what have we done, to deserve this?“
„It's not that easy,“ Smith murmured, „I'm only a puppet in God's hands; he won't tell me about his reasons.“
The murmuring grew louder; a man with a bandaged arm left the line and got closer to Smith, grabbing for his collar. "You better stop talking shit, or...“
„Hey! Hey, stop!“ Erin's voice echoed across the square. „You, let him go. We already have survived a lot; we will get through this, too. Markus is already looking for a solution to the water shortage. Until then, we'll act civil.“
The guy turned his head, not letting Smith go. „Erin, you know, we trust Markus. We trust you. But he,“ he pointed at Smith with his chin, „is none of us. Since he turned up here, strange things have happened. This heat wave is only one of them. He is a jinx, and the best we can do is to chase him away from the Mountain. At least then he can't steal our water any longer.“
Erin shook her head. „We never did send someone away who needs help, and we won't start with it now,“ she said, her voice still calm but resolute. „He...“
„He is right,“ suddenly Smith dropped in. „I shouldn't come here for water and food when there is barely enough for everyone living here. I am sorry.“
Still looking distrustful, the guy finally let him go; Smith turned around, grabbing for his backpack. „Thank you, Erin!“
„No,“ she protested.“ I don't let you go like this. Where will you go to? Without water, there is barely a chance to survive in the wilderness at the moment.“
Smith smiled weakly. „Wherever I go, I can't escape my fate,“ he said. „God has plans for me. I will die when he wants me to die. And I will live when he wants me to live.“ He grabbed for the young woman's hand, squeezing it slightly. „Don't worry about me. God says we will meet again.“